Thesis
INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DISEASE (IVDD) RECURRENCE IN FRENCH BULLDOGS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
07/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007945
Abstract
Setting - Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (WSU VTH).
Animals - French Bulldogs presented to WSU VTH between 2010 and 2023 with confirmed or presumptive IVDD diagnoses.
Procedures - Medical records were reviewed for diagnosis, clinical presentation, recurrence status, and diagnostic imaging results. Each case was categorized by treatment modality (surgical, medical, or combination), diagnostic method (MRI or clinical suspicion), and presence of congenital comorbidities. Cases with multiple consultations were flagged as recurrent.
Results - Of the 74 French Bulldogs included, 23 (31%) experienced a recurrence of IVDD. Recurrence was defined as patients that returned to WSU VTH or presented to WSU VTH for a recurrent event from a referring veterinarian (rDVM), with clinical signs consistent with IVDD. These were confirmed or considered presumptive based on neurologic examination and diagnostic imaging. Cases of diskospondylitis, neoplasia, or suspected meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE) were excluded. Recurrent cases were distributed across cervical, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral regions, with a slight predominance in T3–L3 lesions. MRI was used in 85% of confirmed diagnoses. Surgical treatment alone or in combination with medical management was utilized in over 60% of recurrent cases. Medical-only cases showed fewer recurrences, possibly due to underdiagnosis or lack of imaging followup.
Clinical Significance - French Bulldogs are at high risk for IVDD recurrence. Early imaging, precise diagnosis, and careful post-treatment monitoring are crucial. These findings support individualized treatment plans and enhanced client education to address long-term neurologic risk.
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Details
- Title
- INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DISEASE (IVDD) RECURRENCE IN FRENCH BULLDOGS
- Creators
- Amanda Lamarca
- Contributors
- Karen Kline (Chair)Tina Jo Owen (Committee Member)Bettina Darveshi (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 30
- Identifiers
- 99901297193701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis